Zombo, Uganda: The death toll from Monday’s tragic taxi accident at Nyagak River has risen to four after recovery teams retrieved three more bodies from the fast-flowing river on Thursday.
Among the latest recoveries was the body of four-year-old Adriko John, discovered more than 600 metres downstream from the crash site near Nyagak Bridge on the Athuma village side, Abeju Parish. Local divers also retrieved the body of Joshua, believed to be in his 40s and the taxi conductor from Mboira II village in Kiryandongo District, as well as an unidentified woman estimated to be in her 30s.
The recoveries followed Wednesday’s discovery of eight-year-old Sarah Akello, whose body was identified by her grandfather, Opoka Charles, from Hoima District. The grandfather had earlier identified Adriko John as one of the missing victims.
The accident occurred at about midday on Monday, February 23, when commuter taxi registration UBJ 956G, travelling from Hoima to Zombo District, reportedly lost control due to brake failure while negotiating a sharp curve near the narrow Nyagak Bridge.
The vehicle plunged into the river, trapping or sweeping away passengers in strong currents. The exact number of occupants remains unclear as authorities work to reconcile accounts from survivors and witnesses.
Police registered the case under Zombo TAR 25/2026, with preliminary investigations pointing to brake failure as the likely cause. A police van remained stationed near the bridge to transport retrieved bodies for postmortem examination.
Calls for Support Amid Ongoing Search
Local divers, mainly youth volunteers, have been searching since Monday under difficult conditions marked by strong currents and limited logistical support.
Franco Ongewun, also known as Rasta, a senior diver, appealed for government intervention to provide food and facilitation to sustain the operation. Fellow diver Brian Mungacel cited lack of meals for full-day operations, while rescuer Crespo Jaraloch admitted morale was waning but said the team remained committed out of compassion for the affected families.
LCI Chairperson David Ocakacon of Athuma village urged members of the public to assist in identifying the remaining body and called for enhanced support to the volunteer divers.
By press time, bodies had been recovered at varying distances — one under the bridge, another about 200 metres away, and the child’s body more than 600 metres downstream.
Injury Update
According to Ms Josephine Angucia, the West Nile Regional Police Spokesperson, eight survivors were rescued and are receiving treatment at Nyapea Hospital.
Those with serious injuries include Monday Stephen, 53, and Kasamba Ronald, 32, both residents of Hoima.
Others sustained minor injuries, including adults and juveniles aged between three months and 45 years. Local leaders, among them Oyeyu Parish Councillor Joe Ubedgiu, said several victims are responding well to treatment.
The tragedy echoes a similar October 2024 incident at the same location, where a beverage truck plunged into the river following a head-on collision. The rehabilitated road stretch remains accident-prone due to sharp curves, steep approaches, and limited signage.
According to the Uganda Police Annual Crime Report 2024, an average of at least 14 people die daily in road crashes nationwide, renewing calls for stricter vehicle inspection, speed regulation near bridges and rivers, and improved road safety enforcement on high-risk rural routes.
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